History of Prestessed Hollowcore
Prestressed Hollowcore was first patented in 1886 by an engineer based in San Francisco, California. However, it was not readily accepted as a building material until a half-century later. Technological advancements in high-strength concrete and steel coupled with a European steel shortage following World War II made prestressed concrete the building material of choice for post-war reconstruction in Europe. The Walnut Lane Memorial Bridge in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, completed in 1951, was North America’s first prestressed concrete structure.
 The Walnut Lane Memorial Bridge is a prestressed concrete girder bridge in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, designed by Belgian Engineer Gustave Magnel and built by the City of Philadelphia. Completed and fully opened to traffic in 1951, this three-span bridge carries Walnut Lane over Lincoln Drive and Monoshone Creek. It was the first major prestressed concrete beam bridge designed and built in the United States when completed |
In conventional reinforced concrete, the high tensile strength of steel is combined with concrete's great compressive strength to form a structural material that is strong in both compression and tension. The principle behind prestressed concrete is that compressive stresses induced by high-strength steel tendons in a concrete member before loads are applied will balance the tensile stresses imposed in the member during service.
The same principle can be demonstrated when a row of books is moved from place to place. Instead of stacking the books vertically and carrying them, the books may be moved in a horizontal position by applying pressure to the books at the end of the row. When sufficient pressure is applied, compressive stresses are induced throughout the entire row, and the whole row can be lifted and carried horizontally at once.
Prestressing removes a number of design limitations conventional concrete places on span and load and permits the building of roofs, floors, bridges, and walls with longer unsupported spans. This allows architects and engineers to design and build lighter and shallower concrete structures without sacrificing strength.
Prestressed Hollowcore's Impressive Benefits
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Faith Lutheran Church, Knoxville, TN |
- Speed of construction can reduce overall project time, cost and overhead.
- Provide economical and efficient floor and roof systems
- Fire resistance can reduce insurance cost and potential loss of life and property.
- Sound control creates a better environment for occupants.
- Costly repairs or replacement due to water damage or other types of accidents are drastically reduced
compared with wood construction. - Inside production facility, so weather delays do not affect schedule as does other methods.
- PCI Certified Plant insures a quality product manufactured under strict regulations.
- Ultra Span Hollow Core Panels by Sequatchie Concrete Service have an excellent sound transmission class of about 50 with out topping.
